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Big high-profile undertakings often make a significant impact. Apollo 11. The internet. The Haiti relief effort. Just as important, though, are those small quiet deeds that we can do. The little things.

On March 23 I went in for a haircut that completed a two-year project. I had a 10-inch ponytail cut off so that I could donate it to Pantene’s Beautiful Lengths program. That marked my third hair donation to help those facing cancer. A simple act of growing and cutting hair that I have been able to take part in over the last decade. It is something that I have been able to do with very little effort while going about my daily life. The “under the breath” snickers and jokes coming from my six because of sporting a 25 year old hair style is a small price to pay for helping someone–even if it is someone I don’t even know.

My point of sharing this story? We all have little things that we can do to help someone around us or contribute to our small corner of the world. Whether it’s holding a door, taking a little extra time to explain something, or cutting your hair, such things are worth our best efforts.

Call me old fashioned or sentimental, but I like these two Liberty Mutual ads which emphasize the “pay it forward” mentality.

Ad #1:

Ad #2:

If this is your modus operandi, I salute you. Keep dreaming big and contributing to the grand causes, but remember the little things.